With the rise in food allergies and intolerances, many people are looking for ice cream options that are free of common allergens like gluten and dairy. The good news is that there are several tasty frozen desserts on the market today that fit the bill.
What Makes Ice Cream Not Gluten or Dairy Free?
Traditional ice cream contains two main ingredients that those with gluten and dairy issues need to avoid – milk and wheat.
Milk is a dairy ingredient, so clearly any ice cream containing milk (or cream, butter, etc.) is not dairy free. Many commercial ice creams are made with a milk or cream base.
Wheat is a source of gluten, and gluten is a protein found in wheat as well as barley and rye. Some ice creams contain wheat ingredients such as wheat flour, malt, or caramel coloring. So if you see an ice cream containing any of those ingredients, it is not gluten-free.
Gluten Free Ice Creams
The good news is that there are plenty of delicious gluten-free ice cream options on the market today. Here are some top picks for gluten-free ice cream brands:
- Talenti – Talenti offers many gluten-free gelato and sorbetto options. Their gluten-free flavors are clearly marked on the packaging.
- Halo Top – All of Halo Top’s dairy ice creams are gluten-free, just check the flavor ingredients to ensure they don’t contain malt or other wheat sources.
- So Delicious – This brand offers a wide variety of non-dairy gluten-free ice creams made from bases like coconut milk and almond milk.
- Breyer’s – Breyer’s has two gluten-free ice cream lines – their regular ice creams and their lactose-free ice creams. Always check the ingredients though since not all flavors are gluten-free.
- Ciao Bella – This gelato brand has a selection of gluten-free flavors made with a base of milk and cream.
Some other tips for finding gluten-free ice cream:
- Check ingredient lists carefully for any wheat-based ingredients
- Look for brands that specifically label gluten-free flavors
- Call or email manufacturers if you have any questions about ingredients
- Stick to ice creams with simpler ingredient lists to avoid hidden gluten
- Look for dairy-free frozen desserts that use bases like coconut milk or sorbet with fruit and sugar
Dairy Free Ice Cream Options
For those who need to avoid dairy due to allergy, intolerance or preference, the options for dairy-free ice cream have really exploded in recent years.
Here are some top dairy-free ice cream brands to look for:
- So Delicious – Offers a wide range of dairy-free ice cream options made from bases like coconut milk, cashew milk, almond milk and oat milk.
- NadaMoo – Makes dairy-free ice creams from coconut milk and other plant-based ingredients.
- Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy – Ben & Jerry’s now makes many of their popular flavors using almond milk instead of dairy.
- Halo Top Non-Dairy – In addition to their regular dairy ice creams, Halo Top has a line of dairy-free flavors made with a coconut milk base.
- Coolhaus – Offers dairy-free ice cream sandwiches and bars using a base of coconut milk.
- Cado Avocado Ice Cream – Makes dairy-free ice cream from the base of avocados, offering creamy texture without dairy.
- Coconut Bliss – Uses coconut milk and coconut oil to create their creamy dairy-free ice cream.
Some tips when looking for dairy-free frozen desserts:
- Watch out for hidden dairy ingredients like whey and casein
- Look for non-dairy bases like coconut, almond, oat, soy, rice, cashew
- Seek out vegan options, as all vegan desserts are dairy-free
- Check labels for information on manufacturing processes and allergen warnings
Gluten and Dairy Free Ice Cream
While it may seem tricky to find frozen desserts that are both gluten and dairy-free, there are actually quite a few tasty options out there. Here is a list of some recommended gluten and dairy-free ice cream brands:
| Brand | Bases Used |
|---|---|
| So Delicious | Coconut milk, cashew milk |
| NadaMoo | Coconut milk |
| Coconut Bliss | Coconut milk |
| Julie’s Organic Ice Cream | Coconut milk |
| Van Leeuwen | Cashew milk |
As you can see, coconut milk is a very common base for gluten and dairy-free ice creams. Coconut milk has a rich, creamy texture that makes it perfect for replicating the smooth, creamy mouthfeel of ice cream without the allergens. Other plant-based milks like cashew, almond and oat can also be used.
Some things to keep in mind when selecting a gluten and dairy-free frozen dessert:
- Carefully read the ingredients list and allergen warnings
- Look for brands that specifically advertise being gluten and dairy-free
- Seek out vegan ice cream options, as all vegan products are dairy-free
- Make sure the brand has proper allergen-free manufacturing processes and facilities
- Stick to simpler ingredients lists with non-dairy bases like coconut, nut or oat milks
Delicious Flavors to Try
Going gluten and dairy-free doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on flavor! Here are some delicious flavor options to try from gluten and dairy-free brands:
- Chocolate – Rich, fudgy chocolate ice cream that’s vegan and allergy-friendly
- Vanilla – Smooth, creamy vanilla made with coconut or nut milk bases
- Strawberry – Sweet strawberry swirl ice cream that’s dairy-free
- Salted Caramel – Smooth caramel swirls meet salty pretzel pieces in this gluten and dairy-free flavor
- Mint Chocolate Chip – Cool mint paired with chocolate chips makes a refreshing dairy-free choice
- Cookies and Cream – Vanilla ice cream with crunchy cookie pieces mixed in
- Coffee – Robust coffee flavor in a creamy almond milk based frozen dessert
- Butter Pecan – Rich and nutty butter pecan without the dairy
- Cookie Dough – What’s better than edible cookie dough in gluten and dairy-free ice cream?
With so many innovative flavors by allergy-friendly brands, it’s easy to find a new favorite gluten and dairy-free ice cream to enjoy.
Homemade Gluten and Dairy-Free Ice Cream
In addition to store-bought options, you can also easily make gluten and dairy-free ice cream at home. Here are some recipe ideas using allergy-friendly ingredients:
Coconut Milk Ice Cream
Full-fat coconut milk makes an indulgent base for homemade ice cream. Simply blend coconut milk with sugar and flavorings of choice, then freeze in an ice cream maker.
Banana Ice Cream
You can make dairy-free “nice cream” by blending frozen bananas with your desired mix-ins. Banana brings natural sweetness and creaminess.
Avocado Ice Cream
Blend ripe avocado with cocoa powder and honey for chocolate avocado ice cream. Avocado gives a rich, creamy texture.
Nut or Seed Milk Ice Cream
For nut-free options, try bases like sunflower seed butter blended with water or rice milk and sweetened with maple syrup.
Or blend cashews with water to make a rich cashew cream for the ice cream base.
Sorbets and Fruit-Based
For lighter options, blend frozen mangoes, berries, pineapple or other frozen fruit into sorbet. Sweeten with a bit of honey or pure maple syrup.
Topping Ideas
Just because it’s allergy-friendly doesn’t mean you have to skimp on delicious toppings! Some gluten and dairy-free topping ideas include:
- Fresh fruit like bananas, berries, mango
- Roasted unsalted nuts or seeds
- Shredded coconut
- Crushed gluten-free cookies or granola
- Chopped dark chocolate or cacao nibs
- Nut butters like almond butter or sunflower seed butter
- Dairy-free caramel or fudge sauce
- Gluten-free brownie crumbles
Get creative with mix-ins and toppings to make your allergy-friendly frozen dessert even more decadent.
Where to Buy
Gluten and dairy-free ice cream can be found at many mainstream grocery stores, natural food markets, warehouse clubs, and online retailers. Some places to check include:
- Whole Foods Market
- Sprouts
- Trader Joe’s
- Costco
- Target
- Walmart
- Amazon.com
- Thrive Market online
- Directly from brands’ websites
You can also check with your local health food stores, co-ops or specialty markets to find allergy-friendly frozen dessert options. Many regular supermarkets are expanding their selections too due to increasing demand.
Dining Out
If you want to enjoy ice cream from a restaurant, frozen yogurt shop or ice cream parlor, call ahead to ask about dairy and gluten-free options. Some places like Coolhaus make their own gluten and dairy-free ice creams. But always check since menus and ingredients can change.
When in doubt, stick to sorbets which are generally gluten and dairy-free. Or opt for gluten-free ice cream with dairy-free toppings like fruit or dark chocolate.
Conclusion
In summary, there are now many delicious gluten and dairy-free ice creams available thanks to more awareness and demand. From innovative natural brands like So Delicious, NadaMoo, and Coconut Bliss to new options from Ben & Jerry’s and Halo Top, allergy-friendly options abound. With bases like coconut milk, almond milk, and avocado providing creaminess and rich flavor, avoiding gluten and dairy no longer means sacrificing a creamy dessert like ice cream.
Follow tips like reading labels carefully, choosing simpler ingredients, and basing recipes on fruits, coconut or nuts. Get creative with making your own versions like banana nice cream or mangow coconut sorbet. With the growing variety of store-bought and homemade options, those with food allergies and intolerances can enjoy ice cream again.
